Law 'doesn't condone' rape of promised wives

The Northern Territory solicitor-general says Aboriginal girls, who are promised in marriage according to traditional custom, are protected by laws making it a criminal offence to have a sex with anyone under the age of 16.

Tom Pauling was responding to a letter that the Federal Justice Minister has sent to the Northern Territory Government.

The letter comes in light of a Supreme Court decision giving a one month sentence to a 55-year-old elder, who sexually assaulted his 14-year-old promised wife.

In it Senator Chris Ellison indicates he wants to see the Indigenous custom of promised marriage disregarded in cases of sexual assault against children.

Mr Pauling says young Indigenous women are already protected by the law.

"And what ever else anyone might say, the fact that somebody's married isn't a licence to buy threats or violence, force themselves on someone else," he said.